Aryl-substituted imidazoles

ABSTRACT

The compounds of the invention are antagonists of MDM2 and MDMX, with excellent specificity for MDM2 and MDMX over other proteins, and with selective binding affinity to MDMX over MDM2. The compounds can therefore regulate p53 activity and treat a variety of cancers. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/812,605, filed on Nov. 14, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/991,744, filed on Jan. 8, 2016, which is aContinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/876,465, filed on Aug. 9,2013, which is a United States National Phase of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2011/54368, filed on Sep. 30, 2011, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Application No. 61/388,287, filed Sep. 30, 2010,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The p53 protein is required for normal embryogenesis, tumor suppression,and cellular response to DNA damage. Activity of p53 not only guardscellular integrity but also prevents propagation of permanently damagedcells by inducing growth arrest or apoptosis. p53 is the most frequentlyinactivated protein in human cancer. A mutation of p53 is found inalmost 50% of human cancers.

Under normal conditions, cellular regulator MDM2 controls p53 through anautoregulatory feedback loop. p53 activates MDM2 expression, leading tothe expression of p53. MDM2 mediates ubiquitin-dependent degradation ofp53 and is also a cofactor for E2F, which is involved in cell cycleregulation. The feedback control loop ensures that both MDM2 and p53 arekept at a low level in normal proliferating cells.

Overexpression of MDM2 has been found in many human malignancies.

Accordingly, activation of the p53 pathway through inhibition of MDM2has been proposed as a cancer therapy. Several studies have shown thatp53 function can be reactivated by disrupting MDM2-p53 interaction, orby suppressing MDM2 expression. A variety of small molecules have beenshown to bind p53, including Nutlin-3 and MI-219.

Overexpression of MDMX, which is structurally similar to MDM2, has alsobeen found in many human malignancies. MDMX binds MDM2 and stimulatesMDM2 degradation of p53. Only a few MDMX inhibitors have been identifiedto date. Many small molecules that inhibit MDM2, such as Nutlin, arevirtually inactive in MDMX inhibition and fail to induce MDMXdegradation in tumor cells. p53 activation by many small molecules iscompromised in cells that overexpress MDMX. Small molecules that targetboth MDM2 and MDMX, and those that show preference for MDMX, wouldtherefore be of great benefit in regulating p53 activity.

SUMMARY

The compounds of the invention are antagonists of MDM2 and MDMX, and canexhibit specificity for MDM2 and MDMX over other proteins, and can alsoexhibit improved binding affinity for MDMX over MDM2, relative to theratio of binding for nutlin-3a and improved overall affinity for MDMXrelative to nutlin-3a. The compounds can therefore regulate p53 activitythrough affecting function of MDMX and treat a variety of cancers.

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein each X is independently selected from N and CH; wherein each Yis independently selected from S and O; wherein each Q is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ andAr² are different when both R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen; wherein Ar¹ and Ar²have a cis relationship; wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄alkyl and substituted with 0-2 groups selected from halogen, alkoxy,carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and—SO₂Me; wherein R², R³, and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen,halogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl,i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl, i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl; wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e)are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkoxy, and —SO₂Me; wherein R^(6a)and R^(6b) are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl, orwherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) together comprise ═O; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ areindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl; wherein R⁹ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,carboxymethyl, and carboxyethyl; wherein R¹⁰ is selected from C₁-C₄alkyl and Ar³; and wherein Ar³ is selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Also disclosed are pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds,and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds.

Also disclosed are treatment methods comprising administering to asubject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of adisclosed compound to treat a cell proliferative disorder.

Also disclosed are methods of making the disclosed compounds.

Also disclosed are the products of the disclosed methods of making.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show competitive binding curves of compounds 1A and 1B(see Examples) against hMDMX (FIG. 1A) and hMDM2 (FIG. 1B). EC₅₀ wasgiven in μM. The stereochemistry of each isomer was assigned based onthe optical rotation compared to that of Nutlin-3a ([α]=−151.7° inMethanol, 18.5° C.).

FIG. 2 shows SJ558295 Binding-Induced NMR Chemical Shift Perturbationsof MDM4. A. Difference in chemical shift perturbation of MDM4-SJ558295complex and MDM4-P53_NTD complex versus amino acid B. Chemical shiftmapping of SJ558295 on MDM4 coded by the level of chemical shiftperturbations

FIG. 3 shows a representative formula for synthetic derivatives.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show representative imidazoline library building blocks.FIG. 4a shows aldehyde building block I. FIG. 4b shows diamine buildingblock II.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the invention. Theadvantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means ofthe elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention and the Examplesincluded therein.

Before the present compounds, compositions, articles, systems, devices,and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood thatthey are not limited to specific synthetic methods unless otherwisespecified, or to particular reagents unless otherwise specified, as suchmay, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only andis not intended to be limiting. Although any methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, example methods andmaterials are now described.

While aspects of the present invention can be described and claimed in aparticular statutory class, such as the system statutory class, this isfor convenience only and one of skill in the art will understand thateach aspect of the present invention can be described and claimed in anystatutory class. Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no wayintended that any method or aspect set forth herein be construed asrequiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly,where a method claim does not specifically state in the claims ordescriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it isno way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holdsfor any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including mattersof logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow, plainmeaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, or thenumber or type of aspects described in the specification.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. Thedisclosures of these publications in their entireties are herebyincorporated by reference into this application in order to more fullydescribe the state of the art to which this pertains. The referencesdisclosed are also individually and specifically incorporated byreference herein for the material contained in them that is discussed inthe sentence in which the reference is relied upon. Nothing herein is tobe construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitledto antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, thedates of publication provided herein may be different from the actualpublication dates, which can require independent confirmation.

As used herein, nomenclature for compounds, including organic compounds,can be given using common names, IUPAC, IUBMB, or CAS recommendationsfor nomenclature. When one or more stereochemical features are present,Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules for stereochemistry can be employed todesignate stereochemical priority, E/Z specification, and the like. Oneof skill in the art can readily ascertain the structure of a compound ifgiven a name, either by systemic reduction of the compound structureusing naming conventions, or by commercially available software, such asCHEMDRAW™ (Cambridgesoft Corporation, U.S.A.).

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a functionalgroup,” “an alkyl,” or “a residue” includes mixtures of two or more suchfunctional groups, alkyls, or residues, and the like.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of valuesdisclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as“about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. Forexample, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is alsodisclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particularunits are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

References in the specification and concluding claims to parts by weightof a particular element or component in a composition denotes the weightrelationship between the element or component and any other elements orcomponents in the composition or article for which a part by weight isexpressed. Thus, in a compound containing 2 parts by weight of componentX and 5 parts by weight component Y, X and Y are present at a weightratio of 2:5, and are present in such ratio regardless of whetheradditional components are contained in the compound.

A weight percent (wt. %) of a component, unless specifically stated tothe contrary, is based on the total weight of the formulation orcomposition in which the component is included.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or can not occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

As used herein, the term “subject” can be a vertebrate, such as amammal, a fish, a bird, a reptile, or an amphibian. Thus, the subject ofthe herein disclosed methods can be a human, non-human primate, horse,pig, rabbit, dog, sheep, goat, cow, cat, guinea pig or rodent. The termdoes not denote a particular age or sex. Thus, adult and newbornsubjects, as well as fetuses, whether male or female, are intended to becovered. In one aspect, the subject is a mammal. A patient refers to asubject afflicted with a disease or disorder. The term “patient”includes human and veterinary subjects. In some aspects of the disclosedmethods, the subject has been diagnosed with a need for treatment of oneor more neurological and/or psychiatric disorder associated withglutamate dysfunction prior to the administering step. In some aspectsof the disclosed method, the subject has been diagnosed with a need forpositive allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptoractivity prior to the administering step. In some aspects of thedisclosed method, the subject has been diagnosed with a need for partialagonism of metabotropic glutamate receptor activity prior to theadministering step.

As used herein, the term “treatment” refers to the medical management ofa patient with the intent to cure, ameliorate, stabilize, or prevent adisease, pathological condition, or disorder. This term includes activetreatment, that is, treatment directed specifically toward theimprovement of a disease, pathological condition, or disorder, and alsoincludes causal treatment, that is, treatment directed toward removal ofthe cause of the associated disease, pathological condition, ordisorder. In addition, this term includes palliative treatment, that is,treatment designed for the relief of symptoms rather than the curing ofthe disease, pathological condition, or disorder; preventativetreatment, that is, treatment directed to minimizing or partially orcompletely inhibiting the development of the associated disease,pathological condition, or disorder; and supportive treatment, that is,treatment employed to supplement another specific therapy directedtoward the improvement of the associated disease, pathologicalcondition, or disorder. In various aspects, the term covers anytreatment of a subject, including a mammal (e.g., a human), andincludes: (i) preventing the disease from occurring in a subject thatcan be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed ashaving it; (ii) inhibiting the disease, i.e., arresting its development;or (iii) relieving the disease, i.e., causing regression of the disease.In one aspect, the subject is a mammal such as a primate, and, in afurther aspect, the subject is a human. The term “subject” also includesdomesticated animals (e.g., cats, dogs, etc.), livestock (e.g., cattle,horses, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.), and laboratory animals (e.g., mouse,rabbit, rat, guinea pig, fruit fly, etc.).

As used herein, the term “prevent” or “preventing” refers to precluding,averting, obviating, forestalling, stopping, or hindering something fromhappening, especially by advance action. It is understood that wherereduce, inhibit or prevent are used herein, unless specificallyindicated otherwise, the use of the other two words is also expresslydisclosed.

As used herein, the term “diagnosed” means having been subjected to aphysical examination by a person of skill, for example, a physician, andfound to have a condition that can be diagnosed or treated by thecompounds, compositions, or methods disclosed herein. In some aspects ofthe disclosed methods, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a disorder of cellular proliferation prior to theadministering step. As used herein, the phrase “identified to be in needof treatment for a disorder,” or the like, refers to selection of asubject based upon need for treatment of the disorder. It iscontemplated that the identification can, in one aspect, be performed bya person different from the person making the diagnosis. It is alsocontemplated, in a further aspect, that the administration can beperformed by one who subsequently performed the administration.

As used herein, the terms “administering” and “administration” refer toany method of providing a pharmaceutical preparation to a subject. Suchmethods are well known to those skilled in the art and include, but arenot limited to, oral administration, transdermal administration,administration by inhalation, nasal administration, topicaladministration, intravaginal administration, ophthalmic administration,intraaural administration, intracerebral administration, rectaladministration, and parenteral administration, including injectable suchas intravenous administration, intra-arterial administration,intramuscular administration, and subcutaneous administration.Administration can be continuous or intermittent. In various aspects, apreparation can be administered therapeutically; that is, administeredto treat an existing disease or condition. In further various aspects, apreparation can be administered prophylactically; that is, administeredfor prevention of a disease or condition.

The term “contacting” as used herein refers to bringing a disclosedcompound and a cell, target histamine receptor, or other biologicalentity together in such a manner that the compound can affect theactivity of the target (e.g., receptor, cell, etc.), either directly;i.e., by interacting with the target itself, or indirectly; i.e., byinteracting with another molecule, co-factor, factor, or protein onwhich the activity of the target is dependent.

As used herein, the terms “effective amount” and “amount effective”refer to an amount that is sufficient to achieve the desired result orto have an effect on an undesired condition. For example, a“therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount that issufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic result or to have aneffect on undesired symptoms, but is generally insufficient to causeadverse side affects. The specific therapeutically effective dose levelfor any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factorsincluding the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder;the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health,sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration; the route ofadministration; the rate of excretion of the specific compound employed;the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or coincidentalwith the specific compound employed and like factors well known in themedical arts. For example, it is well within the skill of the art tostart doses of a compound at levels lower than those required to achievethe desired therapeutic effect and to gradually increase the dosageuntil the desired effect is achieved. If desired, the effective dailydose can be divided into multiple doses for purposes of administration.Consequently, single dose compositions can contain such amounts orsubmultiples thereof to make up the daily dose. The dosage can beadjusted by the individual physician in the event of anycontraindications. Dosage can vary, and can be administered in one ormore dose administrations daily, for one or several days. Guidance canbe found in the literature for appropriate dosages for given classes ofpharmaceutical products. In further various aspects, a preparation canbe administered in a “prophylactically effective amount”; that is, anamount effective for prevention of a disease or condition.

As used herein, “EC₅₀,” is intended to refer to the concentration of asubstance (e.g., a compound or a drug) that is required for 50% agonismof a biological process, or component of a process, including a protein,subunit, organelle, ribonucleoprotein, etc. In one aspect, an EC₅₀ canrefer to the concentration of a substance that is required for 50%agonism in vivo, as further defined elsewhere herein. In a furtheraspect, EC₅₀ refers to the concentration of agonist that provokes aresponse halfway between the baseline and maximum response.

As used herein, “IC₅₀,” is intended to refer to the concentration of asubstance (e.g., a compound or a drug) that is required for 50%inhibition of a biological process, or component of a process, includinga protein, subunit, organelle, ribonucleoprotein, etc. In one aspect, anIC₅₀ can refer to the concentration of a substance that is required for50% inhibition in vivo, as further defined elsewhere herein. In afurther aspect, IC₅₀ refers to the half maximal (50%) inhibitoryconcentration (IC) of a substance.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” describes a material that is notbiologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., without causing anunacceptable level of undesirable biological effects or interacting in adeleterious manner.

As used herein, the term “derivative” refers to a compound having astructure derived from the structure of a parent compound (e.g., acompound disclosed herein) and whose structure is sufficiently similarto those disclosed herein and based upon that similarity, would beexpected by one skilled in the art to exhibit the same or similaractivities and utilities as the claimed compounds, or to induce, as aprecursor, the same or similar activities and utilities as the claimedcompounds. Exemplary derivatives include salts, esters, amides, salts ofesters or amides, and N-oxides of a parent compound.

The term “leaving group” refers to an atom (or a group of atoms) withelectron withdrawing ability that can be displaced as a stable species,taking with it the bonding electrons. Examples of suitable leavinggroups include sulfonate esters, including triflate, mesylate, tosylate,brosylate, and halides.

A residue of a chemical species, as used in the specification andconcluding claims, refers to the moiety that is the resulting product ofthe chemical species in a particular reaction scheme or subsequentformulation or chemical product, regardless of whether the moiety isactually obtained from the chemical species. Thus, an ethylene glycolresidue in a polyester refers to one or more —OCH₂CH₂O— units in thepolyester, regardless of whether ethylene glycol was used to prepare thepolyester. Similarly, a sebacic acid residue in a polyester refers toone or more —CO(CH₂)₈CO— moieties in the polyester, regardless ofwhether the residue is obtained by reacting sebacic acid or an esterthereof to obtain the polyester.

As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include allpermissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, thepermissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched andunbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, and aromatic and nonaromaticsubstituents of organic compounds. Illustrative substituents include,for example, those described below. The permissible substituents can beone or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds.For purposes of this disclosure, the heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, canhave hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents oforganic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of theheteroatoms. This disclosure is not intended to be limited in any mannerby the permissible substituents of organic compounds. Also, the terms“substitution” or “substituted with” include the implicit proviso thatsuch substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of thesubstituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution resultsin a stable compound, e.g., a compound that does not spontaneouslyundergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization,elimination, etc. It is also contemplated that, in certain aspects,unless expressly indicated to the contrary, individual substituents canbe further optionally substituted (i.e., further substituted orunsubstituted).

In defining various terms, “A¹,” “A²,” “A³,” and “A⁴” are used herein asgeneric symbols to represent various specific substituents. Thesesymbols can be any substituent, not limited to those disclosed herein,and when they are defined to be certain substituents in one instance,they can, in another instance, be defined as some other substituents.

The term “alkyl” as used herein is a branched or unbranched saturatedhydrocarbon group of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl,isopentyl, s-pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, eicosyl, tetracosyl, and the like. The alkylgroup can also be substituted or unsubstituted. The alkyl group can besubstituted with one or more groups including, but not limited to,optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, ether, halide,hydroxy, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol, as described herein. A“lower alkyl” group is an alkyl group containing from one to six (e.g.,from one to four) carbon atoms.

Throughout the specification “alkyl” is generally used to refer to bothunsubstituted alkyl groups and substituted alkyl groups; however,substituted alkyl groups are also specifically referred to herein byidentifying the specific substituent(s) on the alkyl group. For example,the term “halogenated alkyl” specifically refers to an alkyl group thatis substituted with one or more halide, e.g., fluorine, chlorine,bromine, or iodine. The term “alkoxyalkyl” specifically refers to analkyl group that is substituted with one or more alkoxy groups, asdescribed below. The term “alkylamino” specifically refers to an alkylgroup that is substituted with one or more amino groups, as describedbelow, and the like. When “alkyl” is used in one instance and a specificterm such as “alkylalcohol” is used in another, it is not meant to implythat the term “alkyl” does not also refer to specific terms such as“alkylalcohol” and the like.

This practice is also used for other groups described herein. That is,while a term such as “cycloalkyl” refers to both unsubstituted andsubstituted cycloalkyl moieties, the substituted moieties can, inaddition, be specifically identified herein; for example, a particularsubstituted cycloalkyl can be referred to as, e.g., an“alkylcycloalkyl.” Similarly, a substituted alkoxy can be specificallyreferred to as, e.g., a “halogenated alkoxy,” a particular substitutedalkenyl can be, e.g., an “alkenylalcohol,” and the like. Again, thepractice of using a general term, such as “cycloalkyl,” and a specificterm, such as “alkylcycloalkyl,” is not meant to imply that the generalterm does not also include the specific term.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-based ringcomposed of at least three carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, norbornyl, and the like. The term “heterocycloalkyl” is atype of cycloalkyl group as defined above, and is included within themeaning of the term “cycloalkyl,” where at least one of the carbon atomsof the ring is replaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to,nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkyl group andheterocycloalkyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkyl group and heterocycloalkyl group can be substituted with oneor more groups including, but not limited to, optionally substitutedalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, ether, halide, hydroxy, nitro, silyl,sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein.

The term “polyalkylene group” as used herein is a group having two ormore CH₂ groups linked to one another. The polyalkylene group can berepresented by the formula —(CH₂)_(a)—, where “a” is an integer of from2 to 500.

The terms “alkoxy” and “alkoxyl” as used herein to refer to an alkyl orcycloalkyl group bonded through an ether linkage; that is, an “alkoxy”group can be defined as -OA¹ where A¹ is alkyl or cycloalkyl as definedabove. “Alkoxy” also includes polymers of alkoxy groups as justdescribed; that is, an alkoxy can be a polyether such as -OA¹-OA² or-OA-(OA²)_(a)-OA³, where “a” is an integer of from 1 to 200 and A¹, A²,and A³ are alkyl and/or cycloalkyl groups.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of from 2 to 24carbon atoms with a structural formula containing at least onecarbon-carbon double bond. Asymmetric structures such as (A¹A²)C═C(A³A⁴)are intended to include both the E and Z isomers. This can be presumedin structural formulae herein wherein an asymmetric alkene is present,or it can be explicitly indicated by the bond symbol C═C. The alkenylgroup can be substituted with one or more groups including, but notlimited to, optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino,carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro,silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol, as described herein.

The term “cycloalkenyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-basedring composed of at least three carbon atoms and containing at least onecarbon-carbon double bound, i.e., C═C. Examples of cycloalkenyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl,cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl,norbornenyl, and the like. The term “heterocycloalkenyl” is a type ofcycloalkenyl group as defined above, and is included within the meaningof the term “cycloalkenyl,” where at least one of the carbon atoms ofthe ring is replaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to,nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkenyl group andheterocycloalkenyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkenyl group and heterocycloalkenyl group can be substituted withone or more groups including, but not limited to, optionally substitutedalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester, ether,halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol asdescribed herein.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of 2 to 24carbon atoms with a structural formula containing at least onecarbon-carbon triple bond. The alkynyl group can be unsubstituted orsubstituted with one or more groups including, but not limited to,optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylicacid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl,sulfo-oxo, or thiol, as described herein.

The term “cycloalkynyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-basedring composed of at least seven carbon atoms and containing at least onecarbon-carbon triple bound. Examples of cycloalkynyl groups include, butare not limited to, cycloheptynyl, cyclooctynyl, cyclononynyl, and thelike. The term “heterocycloalkynyl” is a type of cycloalkenyl group asdefined above, and is included within the meaning of the term“cycloalkynyl,” where at least one of the carbon atoms of the ring isreplaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, nitrogen,oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkynyl group andheterocycloalkynyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkynyl group and heterocycloalkynyl group can be substituted withone or more groups including, but not limited to, optionally substitutedalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester, ether,halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol asdescribed herein.

The term “aryl” as used herein is a group that contains any carbon-basedaromatic group including, but not limited to, benzene, naphthalene,phenyl, biphenyl, phenoxybenzene, and the like. The term “aryl” alsoincludes “heteroaryl,” which is defined as a group that contains anaromatic group that has at least one heteroatom incorporated within thering of the aromatic group. Examples of heteroatoms include, but are notlimited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Likewise, the term“non-heteroaryl,” which is also included in the term “aryl,” defines agroup that contains an aromatic group that does not contain aheteroatom. The aryl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. The arylgroup can be substituted with one or more groups including, but notlimited to, optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino,carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro,silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein. The term “biaryl” is aspecific type of aryl group and is included in the definition of “aryl.”Biaryl refers to two aryl groups that are bound together via a fusedring structure, as in naphthalene, or are attached via one or morecarbon-carbon bonds, as in biphenyl.

The term “aldehyde” as used herein is represented by the formula —C(O)H.Throughout this specification “C(O)” is a short hand notation for acarbonyl group, i.e., C═O.

The terms “amine” or “amino” as used herein are represented by theformula -NA¹A², where A¹ and A² can be, independently, hydrogen oralkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl,or heteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “alkylamino” as used herein is represented by the formula—NH(-alkyl) where alkyl is a described herein. Representative examplesinclude, but are not limited to, methylamino group, ethylamino group,propylamino group, isopropylamino group, butylamino group, isobutylaminogroup, (sec-butyl)amino group, (tert-butyl)amino group, pentylaminogroup, isopentylamino group, (tert-pentyl)amino group, hexylamino group,and the like.

The term “dialkylamino” as used herein is represented by the formula—N(-alkyl)₂ where alkyl is a described herein. Representative examplesinclude, but are not limited to, dimethylamino group, diethylaminogroup, dipropylamino group, diisopropylamino group, dibutylamino group,diisobutylamino group, di(sec-butyl)amino group, di(tert-butyl)aminogroup, dipentylamino group, diisopentylamino group, di(tert-pentyl)aminogroup, dihexylamino group, N-ethyl-N-methylamino group,N-methyl-N-propylamino group, N-ethyl-N-propylamino group and the like.

The term “carboxylic acid” as used herein is represented by the formula—C(O)OH.

The term “ester” as used herein is represented by the formula —OC(O)A¹or —C(O)OA¹, where A¹ can be an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group as described herein. The term “polyester” as usedherein is represented by the formula -(A¹O(O)C-A²-C(O)O)_(a)— or-(A¹O(O)C-A²⁻OC(O))_(a)—, where A¹ and A² can be, independently, anoptionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group described herein and“a” is an integer from 1 to 500. “Polyester” is as the term used todescribe a group that is produced by the reaction between a compoundhaving at least two carboxylic acid groups with a compound having atleast two hydroxyl groups.

The term “ether” as used herein is represented by the formula A¹OA²,where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group described herein. The term “polyether” as used hereinis represented by the formula -(A¹O-A²O)_(a)—, where A¹ and A² can be,independently, an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group describedherein and “a” is an integer of from 1 to 500. Examples of polyethergroups include polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, and polybutyleneoxide.

The term “halide” as used herein refers to the halogens fluorine,chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term “heterocycle,” as used herein refers to single and multi-cyclicaromatic or non-aromatic ring systems in which at least one of the ringmembers is other than carbon. Heterocycle includes pyridinde,pyrimidine, furan, thiophene, pyrrole, isoxazole, isothiazole, pyrazole,oxazole, thiazole, imidazole, oxazole, including, 1,2,3-oxadiazole,1,2,5-oxadiazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole, thiadiazole, including,1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,5-thiadiazole, and 1,3,4-thiadiazole, triazole,including, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,3,4-triazole, tetrazole, including1,2,3,4-tetrazole and 1,2,4,5-tetrazole, pyridine, pyridazine,pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine, including 1,2,4-triazine and1,3,5-triazine, tetrazine, including 1,2,4,5-tetrazine, pyrrolidine,piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, azetidine, tetrahydropyran,tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like.

The term “hydroxyl” as used herein is represented by the formula —OH.

The term “ketone” as used herein is represented by the formula A¹C(O)A²,where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “azide” as used herein is represented by the formula —N₃.

The term “nitro” as used herein is represented by the formula —NO₂.

The term “nitrile” as used herein is represented by the formula —CN.

The term “silyl” as used herein is represented by the formula -SiA¹A²A³,where A¹, A², and A³ can be, independently, hydrogen or an optionallysubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl,cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “sulfo-oxo” as used herein is represented by the formulas—S(O)A¹, —S(O)₂A¹, —OS(O)₂A¹, or —OS(O)₂OA¹, where A¹ can be hydrogen oran optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.Throughout this specification “S(O)” is a short hand notation for S═O.The term “sulfonyl” is used herein to refer to the sulfo-oxo grouprepresented by the formula —S(O)₂A¹, where A¹ can be hydrogen or anoptionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.The term “sulfone” as used herein is represented by the formulaA¹S(O)₂A², where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionallysubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl,cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein. The term“sulfoxide” as used herein is represented by the formula A¹S(O)A², whereA¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “thiol” as used herein is represented by the formula —SH.

“R¹,” “R²,” “R³,” “R^(n),” where n is an integer, as used herein can,independently, possess one or more of the groups listed above. Forexample, if R¹ is a straight chain alkyl group, one of the hydrogenatoms of the alkyl group can optionally be substituted with a hydroxylgroup, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a halide, and the like.Depending upon the groups that are selected, a first group can beincorporated within second group or, alternatively, the first group canbe pendant (i.e., attached) to the second group. For example, with thephrase “an alkyl group comprising an amino group,” the amino group canbe incorporated within the backbone of the alkyl group. Alternatively,the amino group can be attached to the backbone of the alkyl group. Thenature of the group(s) that is (are) selected will determine if thefirst group is embedded or attached to the second group.

As described herein, compounds of the invention may contain “optionallysubstituted” moieties. In general, the term “substituted,” whetherpreceded by the term “optionally” or not, means that one or morehydrogens of the designated moiety are replaced with a suitablesubstituent. Unless otherwise indicated, an “optionally substituted”group may have a suitable substituent at each substitutable position ofthe group, and when more than one position in any given structure may besubstituted with more than one substituent selected from a specifiedgroup, the substituent may be either the same or different at everyposition. Combinations of substituents envisioned by this invention arepreferably those that result in the formation of stable or chemicallyfeasible compounds. In is also contemplated that, in certain aspects,unless expressly indicated to the contrary, individual substituents canbe further optionally substituted (i.e., further substituted orunsubstituted).

The term “stable,” as used herein, refers to compounds that are notsubstantially altered when subjected to conditions to allow for theirproduction, detection, and, in certain aspects, their recovery,purification, and use for one or more of the purposes disclosed herein.

Suitable monovalent substituents on a substitutable carbon atom of an“optionally substituted” group are independently halogen;—(CH₂)₀₋₄R^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄R^(º); —O(CH₂)₀₋₄R^(º), —O—(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)OR^(º);—(CH₂)₀₋₄CH(OR^(º))₂; —(CH₂)₀₋₄SR^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄Ph, which may besubstituted with R^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph which may be substitutedwith R^(º); —CH═CHPh, which may be substituted with R^(º);—(CH₂)₀₋₄O(CH₂)₀₋₁-pyridyl which may be substituted with R^(º); —NO₂;—CN; —N₃; —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(º))₂; —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(º))C(O)R^(º);—N(R^(º))C(S)R^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(º))C(O)NR^(º) ₂; —N(R^(º))C(S)NR^(º)₂; —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(º))C(O)OR^(º); —N(R^(º))N(R^(º))C(O)R^(º);—N(R^(º))N(R^(º))C(O)NR^(º) ₂; —N(R^(º))N(R^(º))C(O)OR^(º);—(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)R^(º); —C(S)R^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)OR^(º);—(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)SR^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)OSiR^(º) ₃; —(CH₂)₀₋₄OC(O)R^(º);—OC(O)(CH₂)₀₋₄SR—, SC(S)SR^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄SC(O)R^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)NR^(º)₂; —C(S)NR^(º) ₂; —C(S)SR^(º); —SC(S)SR^(º), —(CH₂)₀₋₄OC(O)NR^(º) ₂;—C(O)N(OR^(º))R^(º); —C(O)C(O)R^(º); —C(O)CH₂C(O)R^(º);—C(NOR^(º))R^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄SSR^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄S(O)₂R^(º);—(CH₂)₀₋₄S(O)₂OR^(º); —(CH₂)₀₋₄OS(O)₂R^(º); —S(O)₂NR^(º) ₂;—(CH₂)₀₋₄S(O)R^(º); —N(R^(º))S(O)₂NR^(º) ₂; —N(R^(º))S(O)₂R^(º);—N(OR^(º))R^(º); —C(NH)NR^(º) ₂; —P(O)₂R^(º); —P(O)R^(º) ₂; —OP(O)R^(º)₂; —OP(O)(OR^(º))₂; SiR^(º) ₃; —(C₁₋₄ straight or branchedalkylene)O—N(R^(º))₂; or —(C₁₋₄ straight or branchedalkylene)C(O)O—N(R^(º))₂, wherein each R^(º) may be substituted asdefined below and is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic, —CH₂Ph,—O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, —CH₂-(5-6 membered heteroaryl ring), or a 5-6-memberedsaturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or,notwithstanding the definition above, two independent occurrences ofR^(º), taken together with their intervening atom(s), form a3-12-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl mono- orbicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, which may be substituted as defined below.

Suitable monovalent substituents on R^(º) (or the ring formed by takingtwo independent occurrences of R^(º) together with their interveningatoms), are independently halogen, —(CH₂)₀₋₂R^(•), -(haloR^(•)),—(CH₂)₀₋₂OH, —(CH₂)₀₋₂R^(•), —(CH₂)₀₋₂CH(OR^(•))₂; —O(haloR^(•)), —CN,—N₃, —(CH₂)₀₋₂C(O)R^(•), —(CH₂)₀₋₂C(O)OH, —(CH₂)₀₋₂C(O)OR^(•),—(CH₂)₀₋₂SR^(•), —(CH₂)₀₋₂SH, —(CH₂)₀₋₂NH₂, —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHR^(•),—(CH₂)₀₋₂NR^(•) ₂, —NO₂, —SiR^(•) ₃, —OSiR^(•) ₃, —C(O)SR^(•), —(C₁₋₄straight or branched alkylene)C(O)OR^(•), or —SSR^(º) wherein each R^(º)is unsubstituted or where preceded by “halo” is substituted only withone or more halogens, and is independently selected from C₁₋₄ aliphatic,—CH₂Ph, —O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partiallyunsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Suitable divalent substituents on asaturated carbon atom of R^(º) include ═O and ═S.

Suitable divalent substituents on a saturated carbon atom of an“optionally substituted” group include the following: ═O, ═S, ═NNR*₂,═NNHC(O)R*, ═NNHC(O)OR*, ═NNHS(O)₂R*, ═NR*, ═NOR*, —O(C(R*₂))₂₋₃O—, or—S(C(R*₂))₂₋₃S—, wherein each independent occurrence of R* is selectedfrom hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic which may be substituted as defined below,or an unsubstituted 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, oraryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,oxygen, or sulfur. Suitable divalent substituents that are bound tovicinal substitutable carbons of an “optionally substituted” groupinclude: —O(CR*₂)₂₋₃O—, wherein each independent occurrence of R* isselected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic which may be substituted asdefined below, or an unsubstituted 5-6-membered saturated, partiallyunsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Suitable substituents on the aliphatic group of R* include halogen,—R^(•), -(haloR^(•)), —OH, —OR^(•), —O(haloR^(•)), —CN, —C(O)OH,—C(O)OR^(•), —NH₂, —NHR^(•), —NR^(•) ₂, or —NO₂, wherein each R^(•) isunsubstituted or where preceded by “halo” is substituted only with oneor more halogens, and is independently C₁₋₄ aliphatic, —CH₂Ph,—O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, oraryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,oxygen, or sulfur.

Suitable substituents on a substitutable nitrogen of an “optionallysubstituted” group include —R^(†), —NR^(†) ₂, —C(O)R^(†), —C(O)OR^(†),—C(O)C(O)R^(†), —C(O)CH₂C(O)R^(†), —S(O)₂R^(†), —S(O)₂NR^(†) ₂,—C(S)NR^(†) ₂, —C(NH)NR^(†) ₂, or —N(R^(†))S(O)₂R^(†); wherein eachR^(†) is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic which may be substitutedas defined below, unsubstituted —OPh, or an unsubstituted 5-6-memberedsaturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or,notwithstanding the definition above, two independent occurrences ofR^(†), taken together with their intervening atom(s) form anunsubstituted 3-12-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or arylmono- or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Suitable substituents on the aliphatic group of R^(†) are independentlyhalogen, —R^(•), -(haloR^(•)), —OH, —OR^(•), —O(haloR^(•)), —CN,—C(O)OH, —C(O)OR^(•), —NH₂, —NHR^(•), —NR^(•) ₂, or —NO₂, wherein eachR^(•) is unsubstituted or where preceded by “halo” is substituted onlywith one or more halogens, and is independently C₁₋₄ aliphatic, —CH₂Ph,—O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, oraryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,oxygen, or sulfur.

The term “organic residue” defines a carbon containing residue, i.e., aresidue comprising at least one carbon atom, and includes but is notlimited to the carbon-containing groups, residues, or radicals definedhereinabove. Organic residues can contain various heteroatoms, or bebonded to another molecule through a heteroatom, including oxygen,nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, or the like. Examples of organic residuesinclude but are not limited alkyl or substituted alkyls, alkoxy orsubstituted alkoxy, mono or di-substituted amino, amide groups, etc.Organic residues can preferably comprise 1 to 18 carbon atoms, 1 to 15,carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 to 6 carbonatoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In a further aspect, an organic residuecan comprise 2 to 18 carbon atoms, 2 to 15, carbon atoms, 2 to 12 carbonatoms, 2 to 8 carbon atoms, 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or 2 to 4 carbon atoms

A very close synonym of the term “residue” is the term “radical,” whichas used in the specification and concluding claims, refers to afragment, group, or substructure of a molecule described herein,regardless of how the molecule is prepared. For example, a2,4-thiazolidinedione radical in a particular compound has the structure

regardless of whether thiazolidinedione is used to prepare the compound.In some embodiments the radical (for example an alkyl) can be furthermodified (i.e., substituted alkyl) by having bonded thereto one or more“substituent radicals.” The number of atoms in a given radical is notcritical to the present invention unless it is indicated to the contraryelsewhere herein.

“Organic radicals,” as the term is defined and used herein, contain oneor more carbon atoms. An organic radical can have, for example, 1-26carbon atoms, 1-18 carbon atoms, 1-12 carbon atoms, 1-8 carbon atoms,1-6 carbon atoms, or 1-4 carbon atoms. In a further aspect, an organicradical can have 2-26 carbon atoms, 2-18 carbon atoms, 2-12 carbonatoms, 2-8 carbon atoms, 2-6 carbon atoms, or 2-4 carbon atoms. Organicradicals often have hydrogen bound to at least some of the carbon atomsof the organic radical. One example, of an organic radical thatcomprises no inorganic atoms is a 5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-2-naphthylradical. In some embodiments, an organic radical can contain 1-10inorganic heteroatoms bound thereto or therein, including halogens,oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, and the like. Examples of organicradicals include but are not limited to an alkyl, substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, mono-substituted amino,di-substituted amino, acyloxy, cyano, carboxy, carboalkoxy,alkylcarboxamide, substituted alkylcarboxamide, dialkylcarboxamide,substituted dialkylcarboxamide, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, thioalkyl,thiohaloalkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, or substituted heterocyclicradicals, wherein the terms are defined elsewhere herein. A fewnon-limiting examples of organic radicals that include heteroatomsinclude alkoxy radicals, trifluoromethoxy radicals, acetoxy radicals,dimethylamino radicals and the like.

“Inorganic radicals,” as the term is defined and used herein, contain nocarbon atoms and therefore comprise only atoms other than carbon.Inorganic radicals comprise bonded combinations of atoms selected fromhydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, andhalogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, which can bepresent individually or bonded together in their chemically stablecombinations. Inorganic radicals have 10 or fewer, or preferably one tosix or one to four inorganic atoms as listed above bonded together.Examples of inorganic radicals include, but not limited to, amino,hydroxy, halogens, nitro, thiol, sulfate, phosphate, and like commonlyknown inorganic radicals. The inorganic radicals do not have bondedtherein the metallic elements of the periodic table (such as the alkalimetals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, lanthanide metals, oractinide metals), although such metal ions can sometimes serve as apharmaceutically acceptable cation for anionic inorganic radicals suchas a sulfate, phosphate, or like anionic inorganic radical. Inorganicradicals do not comprise metalloids elements such as boron, aluminum,gallium, germanium, arsenic, tin, lead, or tellurium, or the noble gaselements, unless otherwise specifically indicated elsewhere herein.

Compounds described herein can contain one or more double bonds and,thus, potentially give rise to cis/trans (E/Z) isomers, as well as otherconformational isomers. Unless stated to the contrary, the inventionincludes all such possible isomers, as well as mixtures of such isomers.

Unless stated to the contrary, a formula with chemical bonds shown onlyas solid lines and not as wedges or dashed lines contemplates eachpossible isomer, e.g., each enantiomer and diastereomer, and a mixtureof isomers, such as a racemic or scalemic mixture. Compounds describedherein can contain one or more asymmetric centers and, thus, potentiallygive rise to diastereomers and optical isomers. Unless stated to thecontrary, the present invention includes all such possible diastereomersas well as their racemic mixtures, their substantially pure resolvedenantiomers, all possible geometric isomers, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof. Mixtures of stereoisomers, as well as isolatedspecific stereoisomers, are also included. During the course of thesynthetic procedures used to prepare such compounds, or in usingracemization or epimerization procedures known to those skilled in theart, the products of such procedures can be a mixture of stereoisomers.

Many organic compounds exist in optically active forms having theability to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light. In describing anoptically active compound, the prefixes D and L or R and S are used todenote the absolute configuration of the molecule about its chiralcenter(s). The prefixes d and 1 or (+) and (−) are employed to designatethe sign of rotation of plane-polarized light by the compound, with (−)or meaning that the compound is levorotatory. A compound prefixed with(+) or d is dextrorotatory. For a given chemical structure, thesecompounds, called stereoisomers, are identical except that they arenon-superimposable mirror images of one another. A specific stereoisomercan also be referred to as an enantiomer, and a mixture of such isomersis often called an enantiomeric mixture. A 50:50 mixture of enantiomersis referred to as a racemic mixture. Many of the compounds describedherein can have one or more chiral centers and therefore can exist indifferent enantiomeric forms. If desired, a chiral carbon can bedesignated with an asterisk (*). When bonds to the chiral carbon aredepicted as straight lines in the disclosed formulas, it is understoodthat both the (R) and (S) configurations of the chiral carbon, and henceboth enantiomers and mixtures thereof, are embraced within the formula.As is used in the art, when it is desired to specify the absoluteconfiguration about a chiral carbon, one of the bonds to the chiralcarbon can be depicted as a wedge (bonds to atoms above the plane) andthe other can be depicted as a series or wedge of short parallel linesis (bonds to atoms below the plane). The Cahn-Inglod-Prelog system canbe used to assign the (R) or (S) configuration to a chiral carbon.

When the disclosed compounds contain one chiral center, the compoundsexist in two enantiomeric forms. Unless specifically stated to thecontrary, a disclosed compound includes both enantiomers and mixtures ofenantiomers, such as the specific 50:50 mixture referred to as a racemicmixture. The enantiomers can be resolved by methods known to thoseskilled in the art, such as formation of diastereoisomeric salts whichmay be separated, for example, by crystallization (see, CRC Handbook ofOptical Resolutions via Diastereomeric Salt Formation by David Kozma(CRC Press, 2001)); formation of diastereoisomeric derivatives orcomplexes which may be separated, for example, by crystallization,gas-liquid or liquid chromatography; selective reaction of oneenantiomer with an enantiomer-specific reagent, for example enzymaticesterification; or gas-liquid or liquid chromatography in a chiralenvironment, for example on a chiral support for example silica with abound chiral ligand or in the presence of a chiral solvent. It will beappreciated that where the desired enantiomer is converted into anotherchemical entity by one of the separation procedures described above, afurther step can liberate the desired enantiomeric form. Alternatively,specific enantiomers can be synthesized by asymmetric synthesis usingoptically active reagents, substrates, catalysts or solvents, or byconverting one enantiomer into the other by asymmetric transformation.

Designation of a specific absolute configuration at a chiral carbon in adisclosed compound is understood to mean that the designatedenantiomeric form of the compounds can be provided in enantiomericexcess (ee). Enantiomeric excess, as used herein, is the presence of aparticular enantiomer at greater than 50%, for example, greater than60%, greater than 70%, greater than 75%, greater than 80%, greater than85%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 98%, or greaterthan 99%. In one aspect, the designated enantiomer is substantially freefrom the other enantiomer. For example, the “R” forms of the compoundscan be substantially free from the “S” forms of the compounds and are,thus, in enantiomeric excess of the “S” forms. Conversely, “S” forms ofthe compounds can be substantially free of “R” forms of the compoundsand are, thus, in enantiomeric excess of the “R” forms.

When a disclosed compound has two or more chiral carbons, it can havemore than two optical isomers and can exist in diastereoisomeric forms.For example, when there are two chiral carbons, the compound can have upto four optical isomers and two pairs of enantiomers ((S,S)/(R,R) and(R,S)/(S,R)). The pairs of enantiomers (e.g., (S,S)/(R,R)) are mirrorimage stereoisomers of one another. The stereoisomers that are notmirror-images (e.g., (S,S) and (R,S)) are diastereomers. Thediastereoisomeric pairs can be separated by methods known to thoseskilled in the art, for example chromatography or crystallization andthe individual enantiomers within each pair may be separated asdescribed above. Unless otherwise specifically excluded, a disclosedcompound includes each diastereoisomer of such compounds and mixturesthereof.

Compounds described herein comprise atoms in both their natural isotopicabundance and in non-natural abundance. The disclosed compounds can beisotopically-labeled or isotopically-substituted compounds identical tothose described, but for the fact that one or more atoms are replaced byan atom having an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomicmass or mass number typically found in nature. Examples of isotopes thatcan be incorporated into compounds of the invention include isotopes ofhydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine and chlorine,such as ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F and ³⁶Cl,respectively. Compounds further comprise prodrugs thereof, andpharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds or of said prodrugswhich contain the aforementioned isotopes and/or other isotopes of otheratoms are within the scope of this invention. Certainisotopically-labeled compounds of the present invention, for examplethose into which radioactive isotopes such as ³H and ¹⁴C areincorporated, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distributionassays. Tritiated, i.e., ³H, and carbon-14, i.e., ¹⁴C, isotopes areparticularly preferred for their ease of preparation and detectability.Further, substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e., ²H,can afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greatermetabolic stability, for example increased in vivo half-life or reduceddosage requirements and, hence, may be preferred in some circumstances.Isotopically labeled compounds of the present invention and prodrugsthereof can generally be prepared by carrying out the procedures below,by substituting a readily available isotopically labeled reagent for anon-isotopically labeled reagent.

The compounds described in the invention can be present as a solvate. Insome cases, the solvent used to prepare the solvate is an aqueoussolution, and the solvate is then often referred to as a hydrate. Thecompounds can be present as a hydrate, which can be obtained, forexample, by crystallization from a solvent or from aqueous solution. Inthis connection, one, two, three or any arbitrary number of solvate orwater molecules can combine with the compounds according to theinvention to form solvates and hydrates. Unless stated to the contrary,the invention includes all such possible solvates.

The term “co-crystal” means a physical association of two or moremolecules which owe their stability through non-covalent interaction.One or more components of this molecular complex provide a stableframework in the crystalline lattice. In certain instances, the guestmolecules are incorporated in the crystalline lattice as anhydrates orsolvates, see e.g. “Crystal Engineering of the Composition ofPharmaceutical Phases. Do Pharmaceutical Co-crystals Represent a NewPath to Improved Medicines?” Almarasson, O., et. al., The Royal Societyof Chemistry, 1889-1896, 2004. Examples of co-crystals includep-toluenesulfonic acid and benzenesulfonic acid.

It is known that chemical substances form solids which are present indifferent states of order which are termed polymorphic forms ormodifications. The different modifications of a polymorphic substancecan differ greatly in their physical properties. The compounds accordingto the invention can be present in different polymorphic forms, with itbeing possible for particular modifications to be metastable. Unlessstated to the contrary, the invention includes all such possiblepolymorphic forms.

In some aspects, a structure of a compound can be represented by aformula:

which is understood to be equivalent to a formula:

wherein n is typically an integer. That is, R^(n) is understood torepresent five independent substituents, R^(n(a)), R^(n(b)), R^(n(c)),R^(n(d)), R^(n(e)). In each such case, each of the five R^(n) can behydrogen or a recited substituent. By “independent substituents,” it ismeant that each R substituent can be independently defined. For example,if in one instance R^(n(a)) is halogen, then R^(n(b)) is not necessarilyhalogen in that instance.

In some yet further aspects, a structure of a compound can berepresented by a formula:

wherein R^(y) represents, for example, 0-2 independent substituentsselected from A¹, A², and A³, which is understood to be equivalent tothe groups of formulae:

-   -   wherein R^(y) represents 0 independent substituents

-   -   wherein R^(y) represents 1 independent substituent

-   -   wherein R^(y) represents 2 independent substituents

Again, by “independent substituents,” it is meant that each Rsubstituent can be independently defined. For example, if in oneinstance R^(y1) is A¹, then R^(y2) is not necessarily A¹ in thatinstance.

In some further aspects, a structure of a compound can be represented bya formula,

wherein, for example, Q comprises three substituents independentlyselected from hydrogen and A, which is understood to be equivalent to aformula:

Again, by “independent substituents,” it is meant that each Qsubstituent is independently defined as hydrogen or A, which isunderstood to be equivalent to the groups of formulae:

wherein Q comprises three substituents independently selected from H andA

Certain materials, compounds, compositions, and components disclosedherein can be obtained commercially or readily synthesized usingtechniques generally known to those of skill in the art. For example,the starting materials and reagents used in preparing the disclosedcompounds and compositions are either available from commercialsuppliers such as Aldrich Chemical Co., (Milwaukee, Wis.), AcrosOrganics (Morris Plains, N.J.), Fisher Scientific (Pittsburgh, Pa.), orSigma (St. Louis, Mo.) or are prepared by methods known to those skilledin the art following procedures set forth in references such as Fieserand Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Volumes 1-17 (John Wileyand Sons, 1991); Rodd's Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, Volumes 1-5 andSupplementals (Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989); Organic Reactions,Volumes 1-40 (John Wiley and Sons, 1991); March's Advanced OrganicChemistry, (John Wiley and Sons, 4th Edition); and Larock'sComprehensive Organic Transformations (VCH Publishers Inc., 1989).

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended thatan order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number ortype of embodiments described in the specification.

Disclosed are the components to be used to prepare the compositions ofthe invention as well as the compositions themselves to be used withinthe methods disclosed herein. These and other materials are disclosedherein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets,interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that whilespecific reference of each various individual and collectivecombinations and permutation of these compounds can not be explicitlydisclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. Forexample, if a particular compound is disclosed and discussed and anumber of modifications that can be made to a number of moleculesincluding the compounds are discussed, specifically contemplated is eachand every combination and permutation of the compound and themodifications that are possible unless specifically indicated to thecontrary. Thus, if a class of molecules A, B, and C are disclosed aswell as a class of molecules D, E, and F and an example of a combinationmolecule, A-D is disclosed, then even if each is not individuallyrecited each is individually and collectively contemplated meaningcombinations, A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are considereddisclosed. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is alsodisclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E wouldbe considered disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of thisapplication including, but not limited to, steps in methods of makingand using the compositions of the invention. Thus, if there are avariety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood thateach of these additional steps can be performed with any specificembodiment or combination of embodiments of the methods of theinvention.

It is understood that the compositions disclosed herein have certainfunctions. Disclosed herein are certain structural requirements forperforming the disclosed functions, and it is understood that there area variety of structures that can perform the same function that arerelated to the disclosed structures, and that these structures willtypically achieve the same result.

The compounds of the invention are useful in treating or controllingcell proliferative disorders, in particular oncological disorders, suchas cancer. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing thecompounds can be useful in the treatment or control of solid tumors,such as breast, colon, lung and prostate tumors.

A. Compounds

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein each X is independently selected from N and CH; wherein each Yis independently selected from S and O; wherein each Q is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ andAr² are different when both R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen; wherein Ar¹ and Ar²have a cis relationship; wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄alkyl and substituted with 0-2 groups selected from halogen, alkoxy,carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and—SO₂Me; wherein R², R³, and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen,halogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl,i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl, i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl; wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e)are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkoxy, and —SO₂Me; wherein R^(6a)and R^(6b) are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl, orwherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) together comprise ═O; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ areindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl; wherein R⁹ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,carboxymethyl, and carboxyethyl; wherein R¹⁰ is selected from C₁-C₄alkyl and Ar³; and wherein Ar³ is selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a further aspect, R¹⁰ is Ar³ selected from:

In a further aspect, R¹⁰ is:

In a further aspect, R¹⁰ is C₁-C₄ alkyl.

In further aspects, the invention relates to compounds having theformula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein each X is independently selected from N and CH; wherein each Yis independently selected from S and O; wherein each Q is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ andAr² are different when both R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen; wherein Ar¹ and Ar²have a cis relationship; wherein Ar³ is selected from:

-   -   C₁-C₄ alkyl,

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl and substitutedwith 0-2 groups selected from halogen, alkoxy, carboxymethyl,carboxyethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and —SO₂Me; wherein R²,R³, and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl, i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl,i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl; wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, alkoxy, and —SO₂Me; wherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) areindependently selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl, or wherein R^(6a)and R^(6b) together comprise ═O; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are independentlyselected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl; and wherein R⁹ is selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, carboxymethyl,and carboxyethyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a further aspect, R⁷ and R⁸ are the same. In a further aspect, R^(6a)and R^(6b) are both hydrogen. In a further aspect, R^(6a) and R^(6b)together comprise ═O. In a further aspect, the absolute stereochemistryat position 4 and 5 is R and S, respectively. In a further aspect, theabsolute stereochemistry at position 4 and 5 is S and R, respectively.In a further aspect, Ar³ is:

In further aspects, the compounds have the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen (—H),halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), alkyl, alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, (—CF₃) methoxy(—OCH₃), and trifluoromethoxy (—OCF₃);

wherein each X is independently N or CH; and wherein each Y isindependently S or O;

wherein Q is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are different;wherein R¹ is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R² is hydrogen, halogen,—CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃; wherein R³ is hydrogen,halogen, —CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃ and wherein theabsolute stereochemistry at position 4 and 5 is R and S, respectively;or S and R, respectively; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Ar¹ and Ar² are different substituents, and are preferably arranged in acis, or syn configuration with respect to one another. Likewise, thehydrogen atoms at positions 4 and 5 are also preferably cis or syn withrespect to one another. In this arrangement, the absolutestereochemistry at position 4 and 5 is R and S, respectively; or S andR, respectively. Known compounds, such as Nutlin, feature identical Ar¹and Ar² substituents, which may have an effect on their relative lack ofMDMX binding.

In certain aspects, the compounds of the invention feature asymmetrical,or different, Ar¹ and Ar² substituents, which is believed to affecttheir specificity of MDMX binding over MDM2 binding. More specifically,when both R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen, Ar¹ and Ar² are different.

In some aspects, each Ar¹ and Ar² is independently a substituent havingthe formula:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy. In certainexamples, R^(4c) is hydrogen on one, but not both Ar substituents. Thatis, one R^(4c) substituent is hydrogen, while the other R^(4c)substituent is selected from halogen, alkyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy. That is, in certain aspects, Ar¹ and Ar²are not both para substituted.

In some aspects, each Ar¹ and Ar² is a substituent having formula (a),R^(4a) and R^(4e) are each hydrogen; and R^(4b)-R^(4d) are independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.

R¹ can be hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, or isopropyl. R¹ is preferably hydrogen. Acid additionssalts can protonate this hydrogen and/or the nitrogen of the imidazolering to form a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, as discussed below.

In further aspects, the compounds have the formula:

Specific examples of the compounds include, without limitation,4-((4S,5R)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4R,5S)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4S,5R)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;and4-((4R,5S)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one.

1. Ar1 and Ar2 Groups

In one aspect, each of Ar¹ and Ar² is independently selected from:

It is contemplated that the selection group can be further limited, ifdesired.

In various aspects, each X is independently selected from N and CH. Inone aspect, X is N. In a further aspect, X is CH. In various aspects,each Y is independently selected from S and O. In one aspect, Y is S. Ina further aspect, Y is O. In various aspects, each Q is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and C₁-C₄ alkyl. For example, Qcan be selected from hydrogen and alkyl.

In various aspects, Ar¹ and Ar² are different when both R⁷ and R⁸ arehydrogen. In various aspects, Ar¹ and Ar² have a cis relationship; thatis, both Ar¹ and Ar² are substituted on the same face of the centralring.

2. Ar3 Groups

In one aspect, wherein Ar³ is selected from:

In a further aspect, Ar³ is selected from:

-   -   C₁-C₄ alkyl,

In a further aspect, Ar³ selected from:

It is contemplated that any of these selection groups can be furtherlimited, if desired. For example, Ar³ can be selected from:

As a further example, Ar³ can be:

3. R1 Groups

In one aspect, R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl. Forexample, R¹ can be hydrogen. As a further example, R¹ can be methyl,ethyl, propyl, or butyl.

In further aspects, R¹ is substituted with 0-2 groups (e.g., 0, 1, or 2groups) selected from halogen, alkoxy, carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and —SO₂Me.

4. R2 Groups

In one aspect, R² is selected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl, i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl,i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl.

5. R3 Groups

In one aspect, R³ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl, i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl,i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl.

6. R4 Groups

In one aspect, each of R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen,halogen, alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkoxy, and —SO₂Me.

7. R5 Groups

In one aspect, R⁵ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl, i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl,i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl.

8. R6 Groups

In one aspect, each of R⁶ is R^(6a) and R^(6b) is independently selectedfrom hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl. For example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, and t-butyl. In a further aspect, R^(6a) andR^(6b) together comprise ═O.

9. R7 Groups

In one aspect, R⁷ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl. Forexample, R⁷ can be hydrogen. As a further example, R⁷ is methyl orethyl. As a yet further example, R⁷ is methyl.

10. R8 Groups

In one aspect, R⁸ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl. Forexample, R⁸ can be hydrogen. As a further example, R⁸ is methyl orethyl. As a yet further example, R⁸ is methyl.

11. R9 Groups

In one aspect, R⁹ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl,methoxy, ethoxy, carboxymethyl, and carboxyethyl. For example, R⁹ can behydrogen. As a further example, R⁹ is halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy,ethoxy, carboxymethyl, or carboxyethyl.

12. R10 Groups

In one aspect, R¹⁰ is selected from C₁-C₄ alkyl and Ar³. In a furtheraspect, R¹⁰ can be C₁-C₄ alkyl, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl, or t-butyl. In a further aspect,R¹⁰ can be Ar³, wherein Ar³ is selected from:

In a further aspect, R¹⁰ is Ar³ selected from:

In a further aspect, R¹⁰ is:

In a further aspect, R¹⁰ is C₁-C₄ alkyl.

B. Methods of Making the Compounds

The compounds can be prepared according to the following scheme.

Triethylamine (excess), and then trimethylsilylacetylene (e.g. 1.1equivalents) are added to a solution of aryl halide 1, Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂(catalytic amount), and CuI (catalytic amount) in a suitable solvent,such as acetonitrile. The reaction is preferably carried out under aninert atmosphere, with stirring at a temperature of about 60° C. untilthe reaction is complete. The reaction mixture is then cooled to roomtemperature, followed by the addition tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (1equivalent), followed by stirring at room temperature. The product 2 isthen isolated and purified.

Diarylacetylene 4 is prepared by coupling 2 with aryl halide 3.(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (catalytic amount), CuI (catalytic amount), triethylamine(excess), and then aryl halide 3 (slight excess) are added to a solutionof arylacetylene 2 in a suitable solvent, such as acetonitrile. Thereaction is preferably carried out under an inert atmosphere, withstirring at a temperature of about 60° C. until the reaction iscomplete. The product 4 is then isolated and purified.

Diarylacetylene 4 and PdI₂ (catalytic amount) in a solvent such as DMSOare stirred at 135° C. to yield diketone 5. After cooling to roomtemperature, pyridine, molecular sieves, anhydrous magnesium sulfate,and hydroxylamine hydrochloride added. After stirring at 90° C., anotherportion of hydroxylamine hydrochloride is added to the reaction mixture.The resulting mixture is stirred at 90° C. Dioxime 6 is then isolatedand purified.

NaBH₄ is added portion-wise to a solution of dioxime 6 in a suitablesolvent, such as dimethoxyethane. The reaction mixture is cooled in anice water bath for 10 mins, and then TiCl₄ (excess) is added dropwise,and the reaction mixture is stirred at 90° C. Diamine 7 is then isolatedand can be used in the next step without further purification.

the corresponding benzaldehyde and N-bromosuccinimide are added to asolution of diamine 7 in a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane.The mixture is stirred at room temperature until the reaction iscomplete. The crude product is isolated and purified to give a mixtureof two regioisomers of dihydro imidazole 8 and 9.

Triethylamine and phosgene are added dropwise at 0° C. to the mixture ofdihydro-imidazole 8 and 9 under a stream of inert gas. The resultingmixture is stirred at 0° C. for 30 mins, and then at room temperaturefor 30 mins. The reaction is concentrated and placed under high vacuum.The remaining residue is re-dissolved. Triethylamine is added to thissolution, and then pierazin-2-one at 0° C. The reaction is quenched byadding water. Regioisomers 10 and 11 are then isolated and purified.Isomers 10 and 11 are separated by supercritical fluid chromatography(OD-H column).

The compounds are active against MDM2 and/or MDMX, and generally haveEC₅₀ values against hMDM2 and/or hMDMX ranging from 10 to 50 micromolar.EC₅₀ refers to the concentration of the compound that is required for50% antagonism or inhibition of hMDM2 or hMDMX. EC₅₀ also refers to theconcentration of a substance that is required for 50% antagonism orinhibition of MDM2 or MDMX in vivo. The activity of the compounds,including EC₅₀, is determined according to the procedures discussedbelow in the Examples section. The compounds can have equipotentactivity against MDM2 or MDMX, or can be selective against MDMX overMDM2.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds are conventionalacid-addition salts or base-addition salts that retain the biologicaleffectiveness and properties of the compounds and are formed fromsuitable non-toxic organic or inorganic acids or organic or inorganicbases. Exemplary acid-addition salts include those derived frominorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodicacid, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid and nitric acid, andthose derived from organic acids such as p-toluenesulfonic acid,salicylic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, citricacid, malic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, and the like. Examplebase-addition salts include those derived from ammonium, potassium,sodium and, quaternary ammonium hydroxides, such as for example,tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Chemical modification of a pharmaceuticalcompound into a salt is a known technique to obtain improved physicaland chemical stability, hygroscopicity, flowability and solubility ofcompounds. See, e.g., H. Ansel et. al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms andDrug Delivery Systems (6th Ed. 1995) at pp. 196 and 1456-1457.

The pharmaceutical compositions comprise the compounds in apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier refers to sterile aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, dispersions,suspensions or emulsions, as well as sterile powders for reconstitutioninto sterile injectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use.Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solventsor vehicles include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol and the like), carboxymethylcellulose andsuitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil) andinjectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. The compounds can beformulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents as wellas any other known adjuvants and excipients in accordance withconventional techniques such as those disclosed in Remington: TheScience and Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Edition, Gennaro, Ed., MackPublishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1995.

The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention areuseful in treating or controlling cell proliferative disorders, inparticular oncological disorders, such as cancer. The compounds andpharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds can be useful inthe treatment or control of solid tumors, such as breast, colon, lungand prostate tumors, by action of restoring p53 activity through theinhibition of MDM2 and/or MDMX.

Examples of cell proliferative disorders for which the compounds andcompositions can be useful in treating, include, but not limited to,Leukemia, acute leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocyticleukemia, myeloblastic, promyelocytic, myelomonocytic, monocytic,erythroleukemia, chronic leukemia, chronic myelocytic (granulocytic)leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Polycythemia vera, Lymphoma,Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's disease, Multiple myeloma,Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, Heavy chain disease, Solid tumors,sarcomas and carcinomas, fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, liposarcoma,chondrosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma,endotheliosarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangioendotheliosarcoma,synovioma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma,rhabdomyosarcoma, colon carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer,ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cellcarcinoma, adenocarcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma, sebaceous glandcarcinoma, papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinomas,cystadenocarcinoma, medullary carcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, renalcell carcinoma, hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma, choriocarcinoma,seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, Wilms' tumor, curvical cancer, testiculartumor, lung carcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma, bladder carcinoma,epithelial carcinoma, glioma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma,craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pinealoma, hemangioblastoma, acousticneuroma, oligodendroglioma, menangioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, andretinoblastoma. For a review of such disorders, see Fishman et al.,1985, Medicine, 2d Ed., J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia).

To treat or control the cell proliferative disorder, the compounds andpharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds are administered toa subject in need thereof, such as a vertebrate, e.g., a mammal, a fish,a bird, a reptile, or an amphibian. The subject of can be a human,non-human primate, horse, pig, rabbit, dog, sheep, goat, cow, cat,guinea pig or rodent. The term does not denote a particular age or sex.Thus, adult and newborn subjects, as well as fetuses, whether male orfemale, are intended to be covered. The subject is preferably a mammal,such as a human. Prior to administering the compounds or compositions,the subject can be diagnosed with a need for treatment of a cellproliferative disorder, such as cancer.

The compounds or compositions can be administered to the subjectaccording to any method. Such methods are well known to those skilled inthe art and include, but are not limited to, oral administration,transdermal administration, administration by inhalation, nasaladministration, topical administration, intravaginal administration,ophthalmic administration, intraaural administration, intracerebraladministration, rectal administration, sublingual administration, buccaladministration and parenteral administration, including injectable suchas intravenous administration, intra-arterial administration,intramuscular administration, and subcutaneous administration.Administration can be continuous or intermittent. A preparation can beadministered therapeutically; that is, administered to treat an existingdisease or condition. A preparation can also be administeredprophylactically; that is, administered for prevention of a disease orcondition, such as cancer.

The therapeutically effective amount or dosage of the compound can varywithin wide limits. Such a dosage is adjusted to the individualrequirements in each particular case including the specific compound(s)being administered, the route of administration, the condition beingtreated, as well as the patient being treated. In general, in the caseof oral or parenteral administration to adult humans weighingapproximately 70 Kg or more, a daily dosage of about 10 mg to about10,000 mg, preferably from about 200 mg to about 1,000 mg, should beappropriate, although the upper limit may be exceeded. The daily dosagecan be administered as a single dose or in divided doses, or forparenteral administration, as a continuous infusion. administration.Single dose compositions can contain such amounts or submultiplesthereof of the compound or composition to make up the daily dose. Thedosage can be adjusted by the individual physician in the event of anycontraindications. Dosage can vary, and can be administered in one ormore dose administrations daily, for one or several days.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods of making compoundsuseful as aryl-substituted imidazoles, which can be useful in thetreatment of diseases of uncontrolled cellular proliferation.

The compounds of this invention can be prepared by employing reactionsas shown in the disclosed schemes, in addition to other standardmanipulations that are known in the literature, exemplified in theexperimental sections or clear to one skilled in the art. Substituentnumbering as shown in schemes does not necessarily correlate to thatused in the claims and often, for clarity, a single substituent is shownto attach to the compound where multiple substituents are allowed underthe definitions disclosed herein.

Reactions used to generate the compounds of this invention are preparedby employing reactions as shown in the disclosed Reaction Schemes, inaddition to other standard manipulations known in the literature or toone skilled in the art. The following examples are provided so that theinvention might be more fully understood, are illustrative only, andshould not be construed as limiting.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for the manufacture ofa medicament for treating a disease of uncontrolled cellularproliferation in a mammal comprising combining a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a disclosed compound or product of a disclosedmethod with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In one aspect, the invention relates to the use of a disclosed compoundor a product of a disclosed method. In a further aspect, a use relatesto the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease ofuncontrolled cellular proliferation in a mammal. In a further aspect, ause relates to treatment of a disease of uncontrolled cellularproliferation in a mammal.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising a disclosedcompound or a product of a disclosed method and one or more of at leastone agent known to increase cellular proliferation or risk of cellularproliferation; at least one agent known to decrease cellularproliferation or risk of cellular proliferation; at least one agentknown to treat a disease of uncontrolled cellular proliferation; orinstructions for treating a disease of uncontrolled cellularproliferation.

In a further aspect, the at least one compound or the at least oneproduct and the at least one agent are co-formulated. In a furtheraspect, the at least one compound or the at least one product and the atleast one agent are co-packaged.

EXAMPLES A. Experimental Protocols 13. Plasmid Constructs and ProteinProduction

The p53-binding domain of mouse and human MDMX (amino acids 1-185) andhumanMDM2(amino acids 1-188) were amplified by PCR and cloned into thepGEX-4T1 plasmid. Recombinant GST fusion proteins were prepared in BL21(DE3) Escherichia coli cells. The lysates were cleared by spinning at100,000×g, and the supernatant was loaded onto a 5-ml GSTrap Fast-Flowcolumn (GE Healthcare). The proteins were further purified via a Mono Qcolumn and an S200 gel filtration column. Peak fractions were combinedand dialyzed against phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.6) containing 2 mMphenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride.

14. Fluorescence Polarization Assays

Fluorescence polarization (FP) assay was conducted in assay buffercontaining 10 mM Tris (pH 8.0), 42.5 mM NaCl, and 0.0125% Tween 20. Thewild type p53 peptide (amino acids 15-29) was GSGSSQETFSDLWKLLPEN, andthe mutant AAA-p53 peptide was GSGSSQETFADLAKLAPEN. The FP assay wascarried out 15 nM Texas Red and 1 uM GST-MDMX or GST-MDM2. For MDM2-p53or MDMX-p53 inhibitor assay, small molecules were preincubated with therecombinant protein for 30 min. The labeled peptide was then added andincubated for 45 min. FP assay was conducted in 384-well blackmicroplates (Corning Glass). The FP assay with Texas Red-labeled p53peptide was analyzed using an EnVision multilabel plate reader with a555-nm excitation filter, a 632-nm static and polarized filter, and aTexas Red FP dichroic mirror. The unlabeled competitor peptide andnutlin-3 were used as positive controls, and the alanine-substituted p53peptide (AAA-p53) was used as a negative control.

15. NMR Chemical Shift Perturbation Experiment

All the HSQC spectra were recorded at 298 K using Bruker Avance 600 or800 MHz NMR spectrometers, equipped with ¹H/¹³C detect, TCI tripleresonance cryogenic probes. The NMR samples contained 0.1 mM ¹⁵N-labeledMDM4 in complex with the small molecule, in molar ratio of 1:1, in 10 mMNaPi, 200 mM NaCl, 2 mM DTT, 0.01% NaN3, 90% H₂O/10% D₂O at pH 6.5. Thebackbone chemical shift assignments of the free protein and in complexwith SJ558295 were obtained using either free ¹³C, ¹⁵N-labeled MDM4 orin complex with equimolar SJ558295 in the presence of 5% deuteratedDMSO. The backbone chemical shift assignments were obtained using astandard triple-resonance assignment strategy through the analysis oftwo-dimensional [¹H, ¹⁵N] HSQC and the three-dimensional HNCA, HN(CO)CA,HNCACB and ¹⁵N resolved NOESY spectra of free MDM4. MDM4 in complex witheither the p53 peptide or SJ558295 were assigned with the help ofthree-dimensional HNCA, HN(CO)CA and ¹⁵N resolved NOESY spectra of thecomplex. All the spectra were processed using TOPSPIN NMR software andanalyzed using the program, computer aided resonance assignment, CARA.Several backbone amides were not observed in the HSQC spectrum of freeMDM4 and were observed in the spectra of the complex.

16. Experimental Protocols for In Vitro PK Study

a. Solubility.

Solubility assay was carried out on Biomek FX lab automation workstation(Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.) using μSOL Evolution software(pION Inc., Wobum, Mass.). The detailed method is described asfollowing. 10 μL of 10 mM compound stock (in DMSO) was added to 190 μL1-propanol to make a reference stock plate. 5 μL from this referencestock plate was mixed with 70 μL 1-propanol and 75 μL citrate phosphatebuffered saline (isotonic) to make the reference plate, and the UVspectrum (250 nm-500 nm) of the reference plate was read. 6 μL of 10 mMtest compound stock was added to 594 μL buffer in a 96-well storageplate and mixed. The storage plate was sealed and incubated at roomtemperature for 18 hours. The suspension was then filtered through a96-well filter plate (pION Inc., Wobum, Mass.). 75 μL filtrate was mixedwith 75 μL 1-propanol to make the sample plate, and the UV spectrum ofthe sample plate was read. Calculation was carried out by μSOL Evolutionsoftware based on the AUC (area under curve) of UV spectrum of thesample plate and the reference plate. All compounds were tested intriplicates.

b. Permeability.

Parallel Artificial membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA) was conducted byBiomek FX lab automation workstation (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton,Calif.) and PAMPA evolution 96 command software (pION Inc., Woburn,Mass.). The detailed method is described as following. 3 μL of 10 μMtest compound stock in DMSO was mixed with 597 μL of citrate phosphatebuffered saline (isotonic) to make diluted test compound. 150 μL ofdiluted test compound was transferred to a UV plate (pION Inc., Wobum,Mass.) and the UV spectrum was read as the reference plate. The membraneon pre-loaded PAMPA sandwich (pION Inc., Woburn, Mass.) was painted with4 μL GIT lipid (pION Inc., Woburn, Mass.). The acceptor chamber was thenfilled with 200 μL ASB (acceptor solution buffer, pION Inc., Woburn,Mass.), and the donor chamber was filled with 180 μL diluted testcompound. The PAMPA sandwich was assembled, placed on the Gut-box andstirred for 30 minutes. Aqueous Boundary Layer was set to 40 μm forstirring. The UV spectrum (250-500 nm) of the donor and the acceptorwere read. The permeability coefficient was calculated using PAMPAevolution 96 command software (pION Inc., Woburn, Mass.) based on theAUC of the reference plate, the donor plate and the acceptor plate. Allcompounds were tested in triplicates.

c. Plasma Stability.

Compound stocks were 10 mM in DMSO. The internal standard was 10 μMwarfarin in methanol. 1.9 ml mouse plasma (Fisher Scientific, catalog #:NC9050370) or pooled human plasma (Innovative Research Inc., catalog #IPLA-1) was added to the columns of 1, 4, 7 and 10 of a 2 ml 96-welldeep well plate (pION Inc., MA, #110023); this was the master plate. 1.9μl compound stock was added to each well with plasmas and mixed well.Using a multi-channel pipette, 600 μl from the columns of 1, 4, 7 and 10were taken and added into the rest of the columns (fluids in column 1added to columns 2 and 3, column 4 into 5 and 6, and so on). From themaster plate, 65 μl were taken from each well and added into 8 storageplates (pION Inc., MA, #110323), each for a time point. The storageplates was then incubated at 37° C. and shaken at 60 rpm. Samples weretaken at 0 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 24 hr and 48 hr. At eachtime point, 195 μl internal standard was added to quench the reaction.The plates were then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 min and supernatantwas analyzed by UPLC-MS. The compound was detected by SIR andquantitation was based on peak area ratio of test compound vs. theinternal standard.

d. Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) Stability.

Compound stocks were 10 mM in DMSO. The internal standard was 10 μMwarfarin in methanol. 1.4 ml concentrate HCl (37%), 0.4 g NaCl and 0.64g pepsin were added to 198 ml DI water to make SGF (pH 1). 1.9 ml SGFwas added to the columns of 1, 4, 7 and 10 of a 2 ml 96-well deep wellplate (pION Inc., MA, #110023); this was the master plate. 1.9 μlcompound stock was added to each well with SGF and mixed well. Using amulti-channel pipette, 600 μl from the columns of 1, 4, 7 and 10 weretaken and added into the rest of the columns (fluids in column 1 addedto columns 2 and 3, column 4 into 5 and 6, and so on). From the masterplate, 65 μl were taken from each well and added into 8 storage plates(pION Inc., MA, #110323), each for a time point. The storage plates wasthen incubated at 37° C. and shaken at 60 rpm. Samples were taken at 0min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 24 hr and 48 hr. At each timepoint, 195 μl internal standard was added to quench the reaction. Theplates were then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 min and supernatant wasanalyzed by UPLC-MS. The compound was detected by SIR and quantitationwas based on peak area ratio of test compound vs. the internal standard.

e. PBS Stability.

Compound stocks were 10 mM in DMSO. The internal standard was 10 μMwarfarin in methanol. 1.9 ml PBS (Mediatech Inc., Manassas, Va., catalog#21-040-CM) was added to the columns of 1, 4, 7 and 10 of a 2 ml 96-welldeep well plate (pION Inc., MA, #110023); this was the master plate. 1.9μl compound stock was added to each well with SGF and mixed well. Usinga multi-channel pipette, 600 μl from the columns of 1, 4, 7 and 10 weretaken and added into the rest of the columns (fluids in column 1 addedto columns 2 and 3, column 4 into 5 and 6, and so on). From the masterplate, 65 μl were taken from each well and added into 8 storage plates(pION Inc., MA, #110323), each for a time point. The storage plates wasthen incubated at 37° C. and shaken at 60 rpm. Samples were taken at 0min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 24 hr and 48 hr. At each timepoint, 195 μl internal standard was added to quench the reaction. Theplates were then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 min and supernatant wasanalyzed by UPLC-MS. The compound was detected by SIR and quantitationwas based on peak area ratio of test compound vs. the internal standard.

f. Liver Microsomal Stability.

1.582 mL of mouse liver microsome (20 mg/mL, female CD-1 mice, pooled,Fisher Scientific, #NC9567486) was mixed with 0.127 ml of 0.5M EDTAsolution and 48.3 ml potassium phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH 7.4, 37° C.)to make 50 ml of mouse liver microsome solution. Human liver microsomalsolution was made with human liver microsome (50 pooled mix gender,Fisher Scientific #50-722-516) the same way. 1 volume of 10 mM DMSOcompound stock was mixed with 4 volume of acetonitrile to make 2 mMdiluted compound stock in DMSO and acetonitrile. 37.83 μL dilutedcompound stock was added to 3 mL liver microsomal solution and vortexedto make microsomal solution with compound. 1 ml of liver microsomalsolution with compound is added to each well of a master storage plate(pION Inc., MA, #110323). All compounds are in triplicates. Mouse andhuman liver microsomes were tested side by side on the same plate. 175μL of each well was dispensed from the master plate into 5 storageplates. For 0 hour time point, 450 μL pre-cooled (4° C.) internalstandard (10 μM warfarin in methanol) was added to the first platebefore the reaction starts. 5.25 ml of microsome assay solution A(Fisher Scientific, #NC9255727) was combined with 1.05 ml of solution B(Fisher Scientific, #NC9016235) in 14.7 ml of potassium phosphate buffer(0.1 M, pH 7.4). 45 μL of this A+B solution was added to each well ofall the 96-well storage plates and mixed with pipette briefly. Theplates are sealed, and all plates except 0-hr plate were incubated at37° C., shaken at a speed of 60 rpm. 0.5 hr, 1 hr, 2 hr and 4 hr timepoints were taken. At each time point, 450 μL pre-cooled internalstandard was added to the plate to quench the reaction. The quenchedplate was then centrifuged (model 5810R, Eppendorf, Westbury, N.Y.) at4000 rpm for 15 minutes. 150 μL supernatant was transferred to a 96-wellplate and analyzed by UPLC-MS (Waters Inc., Milford, Mass.). Thecompounds and internal standard were detected by SIR. The log peak arearatio (compound peak area/internal standard peak area) was plotted vstime (hr) and the slope was determined to calculate the elimination rateconstant [k=(−2.303)*slope]. The half life (hr) was calculated as t(½)=0.693/k. Intrinsic clearance was calculated asCL_(int)′=(0.693/(t½))*(1/microsomal concentration in the reactionsolution)*(45 mg microsome/gram liver)*(gram liver/kg b.w.), wheremicrosomal concentration in the reaction solution is 0.5 mg/ml, and gramliver/kg b.w. of CD-1 female mice and human are 52 and 20, respectively.

17. General Synthesis of Compounds

To the solution of aryl halide 1 (30 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 50 mLacetonitrile was added Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (0.6 mmol, 0.02 equiv.), CuI (0.9mmol, 0.03 equiv.), triethylamine (90 mmol, 3 equiv.), and thentrimethylsilylacetylene (33 mmol, 1.1 equiv.). The mixture was degassedthree times. After stirring at 60° C. under nitrogen for 16 h, thereaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, followed by addingtetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (30 mmol, 1 equiv.). The mixturecontinued to stir at room temperature for 2 hours. And then, 50 mL ofsaturated sodium chloride solution was added to the reaction mixture.The two layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted bydiethyl ether (50 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried oversodium sulfate, and concentrated under vacuum. Purification of the cruderesidue was performed by flash column chromatography (Biotage SP1,silica column, eluting with a gradient of 1-10% ethyl acetate in hexane)to give arylacetylene 2.

Diarylacetylene 4 was prepared by coupling of 2 and aryl halide 3. Tothe solution of arylacetlene 2 (1 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 10 mL acetonitrilewas added (PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (0.02 mol, 0.02 equiv.), CuI (0.03 mmol, 0.03equiv.), triethylamine (3 mmol, 3 equiv.), and then aryl halide 3 (1.1mmol, 1.1 equiv.). The mixture was degassed three times, and thenstirred at 60° C. under nitrogen for 16 hours. After cooled to roomtemperature, the precipitate was filtered off. The filtrate wasconcentrated. The residue was then purified by flash chromatography(Biotage SP1, silica column, eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane) to givediarylacetylene 4.

Diarylacetylene 4 (0.66 mmol, 1 equiv.) and PdI₂ (0.013 mmol, 0.02equiv.) in 4 mL anhydrous DMSO were stirred at 135° C. for 16 hours toyield diketone 5. After cooled to room temperature, to the reactionmixture was added 4.5 mL anhydrous pyridine, 2 g of 4 Å molecularsieves, 1.5 g of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and hydroxylaminehydrochloride (4 mmol, 6 equiv.). After stirred at 90° C. for 16 hours,another portion of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (4 mmol, 6 equiv) wasadded into the reaction mixture. The mixture continued to stir at 90° C.for 16 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, andfiltered off solid. The filtrate was concentrated. The remaining residuewas then purified by flash chromatography (Biotage SP1, silica column,eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane) to give dioxime 6.

To the solution of dioxime 6 (0.3 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 6 mLdimethoxyethane was added NaBH4 (2.4 mmol, 8 equiv.) portion-wise. Thereaction mixture was cooled in ice water bath for 10 mins, and then wasadded TiCl₄ (1.5 mmol, 5 equiv.) dropwise. The reaction mixture turnedto dark green. After stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, thereaction mixture was blue suspension. It continued to stir at 90° C. for2 hours. After cooled to room temperature, the reaction was quenched byadding 1 N NaOH until pH reached to 8. The mixture turned to a whitesuspension. Product was extracted by dichloromethane 20 mL×3. Organiclayers were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated togive diamine 7. The crude product 7 was used for the next step withoutfurther purification.

To the solution of diamine 7 (0.3 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 5 mL dicloromethanewas added 2-isopropoxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (0.27 mmol, 0.9 equiv.) andN-bromosuccinimide (0.18 mmol, 0.6 equiv.). The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated, and theremaining crude product was purified by flash chromatography ((BiotageSP1, silica column, eluting with a gradient of 1-10% methanol indichloromethane) to give the mixture of two regioisomers of dihydroimidazole 8 and 9.

To the mixture of dihydro-imidazole 8 and 9 (0.18 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 2mL dichloromethane and triethylamine (0.72 mmol, 4 equiv.) was addedphosgene (0.44 mmol, 2.5 equiv.) dropwise at 0° C. under a stream ofnitrogen. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 mins, andthen at room temperature for 30 mins. The reaction was concentrated downand placed under high vacuum for 1 hour. The remaining residue wasre-dissolved in 2 mL dicholormethane. To the solution was addedtriethylamine (0.36 mmol, 2 equiv.), and then pierazin-2-one in 1 mL ofdichloromethane at 0° C. The mixture was allowed to stir at roomtemperature for 2 hours. The reaction was quenched by adding 1 mL water.The aqueous layer was extracted by dichloromethane 2 mL×3. The organiclayers were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated togive the crude product. Purification was performed on Waters reversephase HPLC (C18 column, mobile phase: water with 0.1% formic acid, andmethanol with 0.1% formic acid) to yield the mixture of two regioisomers10 and 11. Two regioisomers and two enantiomers were separated by SFC(OD-H column).

a.4-((4S,5R)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one

b.4-((4R,5S)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one

c.4-((4S,5R)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one

d.4-((4R,5S)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one

18. Experimental Protocols for the Synthesis of Analogs a. Procedure toSynthesize 2-isopropoxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde 11

To the solution of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde 10 (6.6 mmol, 1equiv.) and 2-iodopropane (7.23 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) in 7 mL of DMF wasadded K₂CO₃ (26.3 mmol, 4 equiv.). The reaction was stirred at 45° C.for 18 h. Next day, added DCM 5 mL, filtered off solid, and washed solidwith DCM twice. The filtrate was washed by water. And then organic layerwas dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. The remaining residues waspurified by Biotage SP1:0-20% EtOAc in hexane over 7 CV, 20% EtOAc inhexane over 5 CV.

b. General Procedure to Synthesize 1-((4-substitutedphenyl)sulfonyl)-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde 14

To the solution of 1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde 12 (0.69 mmol, 1 equiv.) in3 mL DMF was added K₂CO₃ (2.07 mmol, 3 equiv.) The mixture was stirredat the room temperature overnight (around 16 hours). And then sulfonylchloride 13 (1.033 mmol, 1.5 equiv.) was added into the reactionmixture. The reaction was allowed to stirred at the room temperature or60° C. for 1 h. After cooled to the room temperature, added EtOAc 5 mL,and washed with sat'd NaCl. The organic layer was dried over MgSO₄, andconcentrated. The remaining residues was purified by Biotage SPI: 0-30%EtOAc in hexane over 7 CV, 30% EtOAc in hexane over 10 CV.

c. General Procedure to Synthesize Diarylacetylene 3

To the solution of aryl acetylene 1 (30 mmol, 1 equiv.) and aryl halide2 (30 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 50 mL acetonitrile was added Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (0.6mmol, 0.02 equiv.), CuI (0.9 mmol, 0.03 equiv.), triethylamine (90 mmol,3 equiv.). The mixture was degassed three times. When aryl iodide wasapplied as a starting material, the reaction mixture was stirred at theroom temperature for 16 h. Otherwise, aryl bromide was used as astarting material followed by stirring at 60° C. for 16 hours. Aftercooled to room temperature, the precipitate was filtered off. Thefiltrate was concentrated. The residue was then purified by flashchromatography (Biotage SP1, silica column, eluting with ethylacetate/hexane) to give diarylacetylene 3.

d. General Procedure to Synthesize 1,2-diaryl-1,2-diamino enthane 6

Diarylacetylene 3 (12.8 mmol, 1 equiv.) was dissolved in 60 mL ofacetone. The solution of 3 was then transferred into the aqueoussolution of KMnO₄ (26.9 mmol, 2.1 equiv.), NaHCO₃ (7.68 mmol, 0.6equiv.) and MgSO₄ (25.6 mmol, 2.0 equiv.) in 40 mL H₂O. After stirringat 40° C. for 30-60 min, the reaction mixture was quenched by addingsaturated Na₂S₂O₃ aqueous solution. The desired diketone was extractedby EtOAc (60 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄,and concentrated under vacuum. The crude product 4 was used for the nextstep without further purification.

The suspension of diketone 4 (10.2 mmol, 1 equiv.) and NH₂OH.HCl (61mmol, 6 equiv.) in 30 mL of anhydrous EtOH and 7 mL of anhydrouspyridine (87 mmol, 8.5 equiv.) was refluxed at 90° C. for 1-3 days. Thereaction was monitored by LCMS until over 90% of diketone was convertedto the corresponding dioxime 5. The reaction mixture was cooled to roomtemperature followed by adding 10 mL of 2 N HCl. The product wasextracted by EtOAc (60 mL×3). The organic layers were combined, driedover MgSO₄, and concentrated under vacuum. The remaining residue wasthen purified by flash chromatography (Biotage SP1, silica column,eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane) to give dioxime 5.

To the solution of dioxime 5 (8.6 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 35 mLdimethoxyethane was added NaBH4 (35 mmol, 4 equiv.) portion-wise. Thereaction mixture was cooled in ice water bath for 10 mins, and then wasadded TiCl₄ (19 mmol, 2.2 equiv.) dropwise. After stirred at 0° C. for30 min and room temperature for 1 hour, the reaction mixture continuedto stir at 90° C. for 6 hours. After cooled to room temperature, thereaction was quenched by adding 10 mL of 2 N HCl and 20 mL H₂O at 0° C.The mixture was stirred at the room temperature until there were nobubbles. The aqueous layer was in purple. Separated aqueous layer, whichwas then neutralized by adding 2N NaOH until pH reached 8.0. The mixturewas stirred overnight, and turned to a white suspension. Product wasextracted by EtOAc 60 mL×3. Organic layers were combined, dried overMgSO₄, and concentrated to give diamine 6. The crude product 6 was usedfor the next step without further purification.

e. General Procedure to Synthesize Nutlin-3a Analogues,4-[4,5-diaryl-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl]-piperazin-2-one

To the solution of diamine 6 (0.15 mmol, 1 equiv.) in 3 mLdicloromethane was added aldehyde 7 (0.15 mmol, 1 equiv., aldehyde 11and 14 was applied here respectively) and N-bromosuccinimide (0.15 mmol,1 equiv.). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Thesolvent was evaporated, and the remaining crude product was purified byflash chromatography ((Biotage SP1, silica column, eluting with agradient: dichloromethane over 3 CV, and 0-10% methanol indichloromethane over 10 CV, 10% methonal in dichloromethane over 5 CV)to give the mixture of two regioisomers of dihydro imidazole 8.

To the mixture of dihydro-imidazole 8 (0.9 mmol, 1 equiv.) andtriphosgen (0.118, 1.3 equiv.) in 2 mL dichloromethane was addedtriethylamine (0.455 mmol, 5 equiv.) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at0° C. for 15 min and then at the room temperature for 1 hour, followedby adding solid piperzin-2-one (0.18 mmol, 2 equiv). The mixture wasallowed to stir at room temperature for 2-16 hours. The reaction wasmonitored by LCMS until the competed conversion. The reaction wasquenched by adding 1 mL water. The aqueous layer was extracted bydichloromethane 2 mL×3. The organic layers were combined, dried oversodium sulfate, and concentrated to give the crude product. Purificationwas performed on Waters reverse phase HPLC (C18 column, mobile phase:water with 0.1% formic acid, and methanol with 0.1% formic acid) toyield the mixture of two regioisomers 9. The mixture of regioisomers 9was further separated by SFC (OD-H column) in order to give enantiomers.

19. Method for Preparative HPLC/UV

LC-MS chromasolv grade methanol and formic acid were obtained fromSigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). Milli-Q water as an ultrapure laboratorygrade water was used in aqueous mobile phase.

Chromatographic separation was performed on an Xbridge OBD C18 5 μm,30×50 mm column using an waters high performance liquid chromatographysystem. Data were acquired using Masslynx v. 4.1. This was coupled to anwaters photodiode array detector, which acquired UV data from 230-500nm. The total flow rate was 20 mL/min. Mobile phase A was 0.1% formicacid in MilliQ H2O; while mobile phase B was 0.1% formic acid inmethanol. The HPLC column was maintained at 20° C. and the gradientprogram were listed below:

HPLC Method A: started at 20% B (0.1% formic acid in methanol), held for1 min, changed to 40% B over 2 min, to 50% B over 4 minutes, to 65% Bover 15 min, then 95% B over 3 min, held for 4 minutes, then to 20% Bover 1 minutes.

HPLC Method B: started at 5% B (0.1% formic acid in methanol), held for1 min, changed to 40% B over 2 min, to 55% B over 19 min, then 95% Bover 3 min, held for 4 minutes, then to 5% B over 1 minutes.

HPLC Method C: started at 20% B (0.1% formic acid in methanol), held for1 min, changed to 65% B over 1 min, to 85% B over 13 minutes, to 95% Bover 1 min, held for 3 minutes, then to 20% B over 1 minutes.

HPLC Method D: started at 20% B (0.1% formic acid in methanol), held for1 min, changed to 70% B over 1 min, to 85% B over 13 minutes, to 95% Bover 1 min, held for 3 minutes, then to 20% B over 1 minutes.

20. Method for Preparative SFC/UV

LC-MS chromasolv grade methanol and formic acid were obtained fromSigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). Chromatographic separation was performedon a Chiralcel ODH 2 cm×25 mm column (Daicel chemical Ind, LTD) using anBerger Auto Prep Supercritical Fluid Chromatography system (MettlerToledo). This was coupled to a photodiode array detector, which acquiredUV data from 240 nm. The total flow rate was 50 mL/min. Solvent mobilephase was CO₂, while solvent modifier was methanol. The ODH column wasmaintained at 35° C. and the solvent modifier program were listed below:

SFC Method A: started at 5% Methanol, changed to 50% methanol at rate 5mL/min, held for 2.6 min, then to 10% methanol at rate 99 mL/min.

SFC Method B: started at 5% Methanol, changed to 20% methanol at rate 3mL/min, held for 8 min, to 40% methanol at rate 5 mL/min, held for 2.7min, then to 10% methanol at rate 99 mL/min.

SFC Method C: started at 10% Methanol, changed to 20% methanol at rate 3mL/min, held for 15 min, to 50% methanol at rate 99 mL/min, held for0.96 min, then to 10% methanol at rate 99 mL/min.

SFC Method D: started at 30% Methanol, changed to 50% methanol at rate2.5 mL/min, held for 3 min, to 70% methanol at rate 99 mL/min, held for1.39 min, then to 30% methanol at rate 99 mL/min.

SFC Method E: started at 35% Methanol, changed to 50% methanol at rate2.5 mL/min, held for 5 min, to 70% methanol at rate 99 mL/min, held for1.39 min, then to 30% methanol at rate 99 mL/min.

SFC Method F: started at 8% Methanol, changed to 13% methanol at rate3.0 mL/min, held for 7.79 min, to 50% methanol at rate 9.15 mL/min, heldfor 0.3 min, to 50% methanol at rate 99 mL/min, held for 0.8 min, thento 10% methanol at rate 99 mL/min.

B. Evaluation of Inhibitory Activity Against MDMX

Activity of the compounds were compared to the activity of Nutlin, whichis shown below.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show competitive binding curves of four isomers of 1against hMDMX (FIG. 1A) and hMDM2 (FIG. 1B). EC₅₀ was given in μM. Thestereochemistry of each isomer was signed based on the optical rotationcompared to that of Nutlin-3a ([α]=−151.7° in Methanol, 18.5° C.).

Two nutlin analogues, SJ558295 and SJ558304, had selected as hitcandidates in terms of their inhibitory activity against MDMX influorescence polarization (FP) assay. For further evaluation with thesehit compounds, several pre-in vivo studies such as physico-chemicalproperty and metabolic stability were carried out and its result listedin Table 1. Both analogs possessed reasonable in vitro PK profiles withuM level of IC50 value against MDMX in FP assay so further biologicalevaluation and chemical modification performed to optimization thisimidazoline series of molecule as a potent MDMX inhibitors.

TABLE 1 DATA FOR IN VITRO PK STUDY SJ000558295 SJ000558304 uSOL pH 7.4(uM) 37.8 57.4 uSOL pH 3 (uM) 72.7 66.7 PAMPA pH 7.4 (10−6 cm/s) 694.1867.2 R % pH 7.4 78 79 PAMPA pH 3 (10−6 cm/s) 222.4 72.1 R % pH 3 76 42mouse liver microsome t(½) 2.17 0.73 (hr) mouse liver microsome CLint′24.9 73.9 (ml/min/kg) human liver microsome t(½) 1.72 1.46 (hr) Humanliver microsome CLint′ 12.1 14.2 (ml/min/kg) mPlasma stability t(½)(hr) >48 >48 hPlasma stability t(½) (hr) >48 >48 PBS pH 7.4 stabilityt(½) (hr) >48 >48 SGF stability t(½) (hr) 30.13 >48

To verify further whether the identified active compounds from primaryFP assay can disrupt MDMX-p53 or not, a NMR based assay was used todefine binding regions via measuring level of ¹H and ¹⁵N chemical shiftperturbations on the residues of MDM4 protein. As an alternative methodto detect the binding of small molecules to MDM4, 2D [¹⁵N, ¹H] HSQCspectra were measured. The chemical shift perturbations observed inthese experiments identify the residues of MDM4 that are directlyinvolved in the binding of small molecules. Coded structures of MDM4depicting the degree of chemical shift perturbation with various nutlinanalogues and the data for SJ558295 are shown in FIG. 2.

According to the result of NMR based binding assay, the promisingderivatives that were confirmed to bind to MDMX listed on Table 2.

TABLE 2 ANALOGUES CONFIRMED TO BIND ON MDM4 BY NMR SCREENING SJ NumberStructure Nutlin 3a

SJ558295-1

SJ560615-1

SJ560616-1

SJ558304-1

SJ558305-1

SJ558299-1

SJ558300-1

SJ558302-1

SJ558303-1

SJ558306-1

Based on the promising data from Fluorescence polarization (FP) and NMRassay for the nutlin-3a and its analogs, a parallel synthetic strategyapplied to generate imidazoline focused library by modifying Ar1, Ar2and Ar3 group to optimize binding affinity to MDMX with varioussubstituted aryl groups in FIG. 3 using schemes 1 and 2.

To prepare imidazoline scaffold focused library via parallel syntheticapproach, two types of library building blocks, aldehydes (7) and diarylvicinal diamines (6), needed to be prepared with structural diversity.Functionalized aldehydes building block (FIG. 4a ) prepared by bothsyntheses via scheme 1 and purchasing commercial reagents. On the otherhand, the various aryl substituted diamine building block (FIG. 4b )synthesized through general scheme 2.

Condensation of aldehydes and diamines followed by introducingpiperazin-one carbonyl on the nitrogen of imidazoline generated around160 library compounds and its representative analogs that were preparedvia parallel synthetic approach listed in Table 3 for the compoundstested against FP assay and Table 4 for total analogs prepared.

TABLE 3 IMIDAZOLINE ANALOGS TESTED AGAINST FP ASSAY WITH THEIRPURIFICATION METHODS FP Assay Purification hMDMX SFC HPLC SJ_numStructure IC₅₀ (uM) Method Method SJ000558297-2

39.4 A A SJ000558298-1

2.0 A A SJ000558300-1

>40 B B SJ000558295-1

9.0 A A SJ000558296-1

15.6 A SJ000558301-1

>40 C B SJ000558302-1

9.1 C B SJ000558304-1

9.0 C B SJ000560615-1

>40 B SJ000560616-1

25 B SJ000558305-1

19.4 C B SJ000558306-1

9.7 C B

TABLE 4 STRUCTURES OF 160 IMIDAZOLINE ANALOGS SYNTHESIZED VIA PARALLELAPPROACH

REFERENCES

-   1. U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,346 to Kong et al.-   2. U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,302 to Kong et al.-   3. U.S. Pat. No. 7,132,421 to Fotouhi et al.-   4. U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,638 to Haley et al.-   5. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0282803 to Haley et al.-   6. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0288287 to Fotouhi et al.-   7. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0211693 to Fotouhi et al.-   8. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0129416 to Ding et al.-   9. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0167437 to Fotouhi et al.-   10. Vassilev, Lyubomir T., et al., “In Vivo Activation of the p53    Pathway by Small-Molecule Antagonists of MDM2,” Science 303, 844    (2004).-   11. Laurie, Nikia A., et al., “Inactivation of the p53 pathway in    retinoblastoma,” Nature 444 (November, 2006).-   12. Reed, Damon, et al., “Identification and Characterization of the    First Small Molecule inhibitor of MDMX, The Journal of Biological    Chemistry 285, No. 14, 10786-10796 (Apr. 2, 2010).

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound having the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein each X is independently selected from N and CH; wherein each Yis independently selected from S and O; wherein each Q is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ andAr² are different when both R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen; wherein Ar¹ and Ar²have a cis relationship; wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄alkyl and substituted with 0-2 groups selected from halogen, alkoxy,carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and—SO₂Me; wherein R², R³, and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen,halogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl,i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl, i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl; wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e)are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkoxy, and —SO₂Me; wherein R^(6a)and R^(6b) are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl, orwherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) together comprise ═O; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ areindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl; wherein R⁹ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,carboxymethyl, and carboxyethyl; wherein R¹⁰ is selected from C₁-C₄alkyl and Ar³; and wherein Ar³ is selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound of claim1, having the formula:

wherein Ar³ is selected from:


3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) are both hydrogen.4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) together comprise═O.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein Ar³ is:


6. The compound of claim 1, having the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy;

wherein each X is independently N or CH; and wherein each Y isindependently S or O;

wherein Q is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are different;wherein R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein R² is hydrogen, halogen,—CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃; wherein R³ is hydrogen,halogen, —CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃ and wherein theabsolute stereochemistry at position 4 and 5 is R and S, respectively;or S and R, respectively; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.7. The compound of claim 1, wherein each Ar¹ and Ar² is:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.
 8. The compound ofclaim 1, having the formula:


9. The compound of claim 8, wherein each Ar¹ and Ar² is:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.
 10. The compoundof claim 1, selected from:4-((4S,5R)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4R,5S)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4S,5R)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;and 4-((4R,5S)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one.11. A method of treating a cell proliferative disorder in a subject inneed thereof, comprising: administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound having the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein each X is independently selected from N and CH; wherein each Yis independently selected from S and O; wherein each Q is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ andAr² are different when both R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen; wherein Ar¹ and Ar²have a cis relationship; wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄alkyl and substituted with 0-2 groups selected from halogen, alkoxy,carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and—SO₂Me; wherein R², R³, and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen,halogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl,i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl, i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl; wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e)are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkoxy, and —SO₂Me; wherein R^(6a)and R^(6b) are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl, orwherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) together comprise ═O; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ areindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl; wherein R⁹ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,carboxymethyl, and carboxyethyl; wherein R¹⁰ is selected from C₁-C₄alkyl and Ar³; and wherein Ar³ is selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Ar³ is selected from:


13. The method of claim 11, wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy;

wherein each X is independently N or CH; and wherein each Y isindependently S or O;

wherein Q is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are different;wherein R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein R² is hydrogen, halogen,—CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃; wherein R³ is hydrogen,halogen, —CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃ and wherein theabsolute stereochemistry at position 4 and 5 is R and S, respectively;or S and R, respectively; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.14. The method of claim 11, wherein each Ar¹ and Ar² is independently:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the compound has the formula:


16. The method of claim 11, wherein each Ar¹ and Ar² is:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.
 17. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the compound is selected from:4-((4S,5R)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4R,5S)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4S,5R)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;and 4-((4R,5S)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one.18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising, in a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier, a compound having the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein each X is independently selected from N and CH; wherein each Yis independently selected from S and O; wherein each Q is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, and C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ andAr² are different when both R⁷ and R⁸ are hydrogen; wherein Ar¹ and Ar²have a cis relationship; wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄alkyl and substituted with 0-2 groups selected from halogen, alkoxy,carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and—SO₂Me; wherein R², R³, and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen,halogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxyl,i-propoxyl, n-butoxyl, i-butoxyl, and t-butoxyl; wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e)are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkoxy, and —SO₂Me; wherein R^(6a)and R^(6b) are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkyl, orwherein R^(6a) and R^(6b) together comprise ═O; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ areindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl; wherein R⁹ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,carboxymethyl, and carboxyethyl; wherein R¹⁰ is selected from C₁-C₄alkyl and Ar³; and wherein Ar³ is selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 19. The composition ofclaim 18, wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Ar³ is selected from:


20. The composition of claim 18, wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are independently selected from:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy;

wherein each X is independently N or CH; and wherein each Y isindependently S or O;

wherein Q is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are different;wherein R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl; wherein R² is hydrogen, halogen,—CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃; wherein R³ is hydrogen,halogen, —CH₃, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, or —OC(CH₃)₃ and wherein theabsolute stereochemistry at position 4 and 5 is R and S, respectively;or S and R, respectively; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.21. The composition of claim 18, wherein each Ar¹ and Ar² is:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.
 22. Thecomposition of claim 18, wherein the compound has the formula:


23. The composition of claim 18, wherein each Ar¹ and Ar² is:

wherein R^(4a)-R^(4e) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.
 24. Thecomposition of claim 18, wherein each Ar¹ and Ar² is:

wherein R^(4a) and R^(4e) are each hydrogen; and wherein R^(4b)-R^(4d)are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, and alkoxy.
 25. The composition ofclaim 18, wherein the compound is selected from:4-((4S,5R)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4R,5S)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;4-((4S,5R)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one;and 4-((4R,5S)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-1-carbonyl)piperazin-2-one.